Efficacy of Various Botanical and Chemical Insecticides against Flea Beetles on Maize (Zea maize L.)

Abstract

Vulnerability to the vast majority of insect pests is one of the main factors which severely restrict the scope of production and development of Zea maize L. Flea beetle is considered an important pest that cause huge losses to Zea maize L. yields. The present study was conducted at new development farm (NDF), the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan during 2014 and 2015 to determine the efficacy of various chemical and botanical insecticides against Flea beetles on Zea maize L. plant. The number of Flea beetles was recorded a day before and 1, 2 and 8 days after the application of every spray material on the plant. The results showed that least number of Flea beetles was reported in the Emamectin benzoate treatment while among the plant extracts, Datura stramonium was the most important and effective treatment which reduces the population of white Flea beetles, which was followed by Azadirachta indica seed extract. The large numbers of pest were reported on untreated check plots. The present reports showed that plant extract have the ability to be utilized for the successful control of Flea beetles on Zea maize L.